A recent study conducted by the Pew Research Center indicates that high school dropout rates for African Americans are declining; however, the African American dropout rate is still extremely high in comparison to other racial groups. One theory on why the African American dropout rate remains high is the problem of implicit bias. A recent Los Angeles Times article revealed that some educators, despite race, view African American students through a biased lens. This results in lowered expectations and lower academic performance. These lowered expectations occur as a result of educators and student not being informed about the significant accomplishments that African Americans have made around the globe. Some educators have a diminished view of students' potential. ... read more »

In embracing and expanding the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Revs. Barber and Theoharis have asked Presidential candidates to consider a debate that focuses exclusively on poverty. Many have agreed, but others have not gone on record. With more than one in five African American families living in poverty, and wages relatively stagnant, a national conversation about poverty is more than overdue. ... read more »

A Saturday morning shooting rampage in El Paso, Texas on August 3 took the lives of 22 people, and seriously injured more than two dozen others. Reportedly, the alleged shooter wanted to kill as many Mexicans as he could. Armed with safety glasses, ear coverings and an assault-style rifle, the shooter entered a Walmart store during a back-to-school sale. ... read more »

“30-Day Journey with Martin Luther King Jr.” (Fortress Press) is a concise collection of passages from King’s sermons, speeches, letters and other written works, paired with in-depth analysis by Chism, an assistant professor of history at the University of Houston-Downtown. It is part of a “30-Day” series – each book written by a different author – that includes other spiritual thinkers such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Dorothy Day. ... read more »

Dr. Thomas Freeman’s 70-plus year resume includes teaching Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during his time at Morehouse, former U.S. Reps. Leland and Jordan, Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, gospel superstar Yolanda Adams, and Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington, who sought out Freeman’s expertise to coach the cast of the Golden Globe-nominated film “The Great Debaters.” ... read more »

The South Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), a national leader in civil and political rights, held a convention in Atlanta from July 18 to July 20 to scrutinize a topic many Americans are rather uncomfortable discussing — poverty. ... read more »

Whether it’s taking a stand for the Double V campaign during World War II; marching with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement; or fighting to have a voice in the White House in more recent times, NNPA’s board chairpersons’ responsibilities have historically gone far beyond any standard business definitions. ... read more »

Have you ever noticed that when driving through the southern United States you are hard-pressed to find a city or town without a memorial to the Confederate war dead, but you are equally hard-pressed to find a city or town with a monument commemorating fallen Revolutionary War soldiers? ... read more »

“We need to make sure we convey the message that the only crime committed on that day was not from the young man, the black children that were there, but from the two deputies and the way they manhandled those kids,” said local NAACP President Marsha Ellison. ... read more »

The 17 students and five faculty and staff chaperones traveled more than 2,000 miles to Montgomery, Alabama, during the first week of April. Their days were spent volunteering with local youth and seniors at Resurrection Catholic Missions and touring historical landmarks in communities at the center of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. ... read more »

Disproportionately, young African male college students and others are being summarily expelled from college based solely on mere allegations of sexual misconduct violations of Title IX rules without any due process of law or findings of fact. College administrators are arbitrarily determining that these targeted students are guilty and expendable until their innocence is proven. ... read more »

Dr. Martin Luther King Died 51 Years Ago. Nipsey Hussle died March 31, 2019. This morning when I got to work, a conversation ensued about the murder of rapper Nipsey Hussle on March 31. ... read more »

In 1980, President Jimmy Carter proclaimed the first week of March as Women’s History Week.  Seven years later, Congress declared the entire month of March as Women’s History Month. I find it sadly ironic that we need legislative reminders to celebrate and remember the accomplishments of various people and communities.  However, I am grateful that the work of women is being celebrated nonetheless! Across the country, March 8thhas been designated as, “International Women’s Day” where people celebrate and honor women worldwide. ... read more »

Malcolm tells us in his Autobiography that he felt and hoped that his “life’s account, read objectively. . .might prove to be a testimony of some social value.” And surely, it is a testimony of great social value. Indeed, it is both testimony and testament, righteous witness and a sacred will, awesome evidence and instruction on how we can live our lives, and if need be, give them up with the unwavering commitment and uncompromising courage Malcolm modelled and mirrored for us. Malcolm, honored teacher of the liberating truth, thus taught us how to live and die, and even before his death, he had already given his whole life to his people, his faith and the struggle. It was again one of his defining features which he described as “the one hundred percent dedication I have to whatever I believe in.” ... read more »

I was born of a White mother and a Black father in 1961 in Southern California during a time when America was experiencing segregation across the nation.  Although many of us in California did not feel the same effects as many of our relatives in the South, segregation was still alive and well throughout the country. The Civil Rights Movement was in its beginning stages and the 50’s and 60’s were pivotal in changing the face and climate of America. The Civil Rights Movement was organized by African Americans with the goal to help end racial discrimination and provide equal rights to all under the law. ... read more »